Eyewitness – SANUR
June 3, 2026
The 19th edition of the Bali International Film Festival, widely known as Balinale, continues to solidify its status as a premier hub for Asian and international cinema. This year, the festival features the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, a curated program organized in partnership with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO).
Running from June 1–7, 2026, in Sanur, Bali, the collaborative initiative showcases six handpicked Hong Kong films to an audience of local cinephiles, film communities, media, creative industry professionals, and international guests.
​The featured lineup includes Road to Vendetta, Night King, Golden Boy, Gamer Girls, Ciao UFO, and Back to the Past. Together, these titles spotlight the sheer diversity and caliber of contemporary Hong Kong filmmaking, spanning genres from action-thrillers and family dramas to comedies, e-sports stories, urban nostalgia, and historical fantasies.
A major highlight of the gala is a special screening of Ciao UFO, directed by Patrick Leung Pak-Kin. Set in Hong Kong’s Aberdeen neighborhood against the backdrop of the 1980s Wah Fu Estate, the film follows a mysterious UFO sighting that alters the lives of several young protagonists. Infused with nostalgia, collective urban memory, and themes of friendship, Ciao UFO exemplifies Hong Kong cinema’s unique power to chronicle social change. The screening was elevated by the presence of producer Amy Chin and lead actor Wong You Nam, who offered audiences and fellow filmmakers an insider’s look into the project’s creative journey.
​The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation drew high-profile attendees, including the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Bali, alongside members of the China–Indonesia business communities, industry executives, and prominent filmmakers. Their attendance underscored the strategic importance of the partnership, highlighting cinema’s role as a bridge for cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and deeper people-to-people ties across Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, and the broader Asian region.
Driving Cultural Diplomacy and Industry Networking
​Balinale Founder and Festival Director Deborah Gabinetti emphasized that the ongoing alliance with the AFAA reinforces the enduring value of cross-border collaboration in bringing world-class Hong Kong cinema to Bali.
​”Continuing our long and successful partnership in bringing the best of Hong Kong cinema to Bali, the Asian Film Awards Academy returns to Balinale with an exciting program of Hong Kong films and special guest appearances,” Gabinetti stated.
Among this year’s standout features is Road to Vendetta, a Hong Kong-Japan action-thriller directed by Albert Njo Kui-Ying. The film revives the high-octane energy of classic Hong Kong action cinema through a modern lens. Lead actor Jeffrey Ngai attended the event to share his firsthand creative and production experiences during a session at the Bali Film Forum.
​Other cinematic contributions enriching the program include:
• ​Night King: A comedy-drama exploring the nuances of human relationships with equal parts humor and heart.
• ​Golden Boy: A poignant tale of redemption, family dynamics, and the grueling comeback journey of a former boxer.
• ​Back to the Past: A cinematic adaptation of a classic Hong Kong television series, which also featured an appearance by director Jack Lai.
• ​Gamer Girls: A timely feature exploring the competitive world of e-sports, breaking gender stereotypes, and celebrating the drive of a young generation of women carving out their own digital spaces.
​The presence of the AFAA and HKETO at Balinale 2026 further cements the festival’s role as a vital platform for cultural diplomacy and industry networking in Asia. Through the medium of film, it fosters closer, more open, and meaningful connections between Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the global cinematic community.
​Balinale 2026 is currently underway from June 1–7, 2026, in the coastal area of Sanur, Bali. Main festival activities are anchored at ICON Bali Mall and Cinema XXI, with supplementary programming hosted at select venues. This year, Balinale is screening 94 films from 38 countries, featuring a robust lineup of world, international, and Asian premieres, alongside competition brackets, industry forums, workshops, and exclusive screenings.
Through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, Balinale 2026 not only celebrates the artistry of Hong Kong filmmakers but also reaffirms that cinema remains a universal language capable of uniting cities, nations, generations, and cultures.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
